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Updated: Oct 1, 2026
Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol
Published on: February 18, 2012
Early cranial ultrasonic evaluation of white matter development and later neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely
Yu-Ting Wu1, Mei-Yin Lai2, Yi-Ling Tung3
1Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 110301, Taiwan.
Insights
Reduced corpus callosum (CC) thickness and slower CC growth velocity on serial cranial ultrasounds (cUS) are linked to later neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in extremely preterm infants. These markers aid in early risk stratification for NDI.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Neurology
- Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- White matter injury (WMI) in extremely preterm infants is a primary cause of neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI).
- Ventriculomegaly (VM) and impaired corpus callosum (CC) growth are potential early indicators of diffuse WMI.
- Early identification of infants at risk for NDI is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between early cranial ultrasound (cUS) markers and later neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in extremely preterm infants.
- To determine if specific cUS findings, such as CC thickness and ventricular width, can predict NDI.
- To assess the utility of serial cUS in the early risk stratification of NDI.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of infants born <28 weeks' gestation with serial cUS and neurodevelopmental assessments at 18-24 months corrected age.
- Exclusion of infants with major brain lesions, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, or congenital anomalies.
- Measurement of CC thickness, length, and ventricular width via cUS from birth to term-equivalent age (TEA); comparison of clinical and cUS findings between infants with and without NDI.
Main Results:
- Among 70 extremely preterm infants, 20 developed NDI.
- The NDI group showed significantly thinner CC at TEA (1.6 mm vs. 1.8 mm, p=0.026) and a slower CC thickness growth rate before TEA (0.01 mm/week vs. 0.02 mm/week, p=0.019).
- Isolated VM at TEA was more frequent in the NDI group (15% vs. 6%), but this finding was not statistically significant (p=0.224).
Conclusions:
- Serial cUS markers, specifically reduced CC thickness and slower CC growth velocity, are associated with later NDI in extremely preterm infants.
- While isolated VM showed a trend towards higher incidence in the NDI group, it was underpowered.
- Serial cUS findings are valuable for early risk stratification of NDI, complementing standalone prediction methods.
Background:
White matter injury (WMI) is a major cause of neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in extremely preterm infants, with ventriculomegaly (VM) and impaired corpus callosum (CC) growth proposed as early indicators of diffuse WMI. This study evaluated whether early cranial ultrasound (cUS) markers are associated with later NDI.
Methods:
This retrospective study included infants born <28 weeks' gestation and admitted to a tertiary NICU between 2019 and 2020 who completed serial cUS and neurodevelopmental assessments at 18-24 months of corrected age. Those with major brain lesions, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, or congenital anomalies were excluded. cUS measured CC thickness, length, and ventricular width from birth to term-equivalent age (TEA). Clinical characteristics and cUS findings were compared between infants with and without NDI.
Results:
Among 70 extremely preterm infants (mean GA 25.7 weeks; BW 827 g), 20 developed NDI. Perinatal factors or comorbidities were similar between groups. Isolated VM at TEA was more frequent in the NDI group (15% vs. 6%), though not statistically significant (p = 0.224). The NDI group had significantly thinner CC at TEA (1.6 mm vs. 1.8 mm, p = 0.026) and slower CC thickness growth rate before TEA (0.01 mm/week vs. 0.02 mm/week, p = 0.019), with no difference in CC length or its progression.
Conclusions:
Serial cUS markers, particularly reduced CC thickness and slower CC growth velocity, were associated with later NDI. Higher but underpowered incidence of isolated VM was observed, supporting the role of serial cUS in early risk stratification over standalone prediction.
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